Adhesive dispensing system

ABSTRACT

A system including an adhesive dispensing device and a charger base. The adhesive dispensing device includes a first light emitting device, a handle, a power source, and a power supply interface. The charger base includes a second light emitting device, an interface formed for receiving the adhesive dispensing device, an external power output interface, and a power supply circuit. The external power output interface is configured to electrically couple to the power supply interface of the adhesive dispensing device. The first light emitting device is configured to illuminate in response to power being provided to the power supply interface from the power supply circuit. The second light emitting device is configured to illuminate in response to power being provided to the power supply circuit from the external power output interface.

FIELD

The present application relates to hand-held adhesive dispensers,commonly known as glue guns, that heat an adhesive for controlleddischarge.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a system including an adhesive dispensing device anda charger base is described. The adhesive dispensing device includes afirst light emitting device, a handle, a power source, and a powersupply interface. The charger base includes a second light emittingdevice, an interface formed for receiving the adhesive dispensingdevice, an external power output interface, and a power supply circuit.The interface formed for receiving the adhesive dispensing device isconfigured to mate with the handle. The external power output interfaceis configured to electrically couple to the power supply interface ofthe adhesive dispensing device. The power supply circuit is coupled tothe external power output interface and is configured to provide powerto the external power output interface. The first light emitting deviceis configured to illuminate in response to power being provided to thepower supply interface from the power supply circuit. The second lightemitting device is configured to illuminate in response to power beingprovided to the power supply circuit from the external power outputinterface.

In another embodiment, a method for controlling one or more illuminatedevices in an adhesive dispensing system is described. An adhesivedispensing device is electrically coupled to an adhesive dispensingdevice. The electrical coupling of the external power output interfaceand the power supply interface is recognized. In response to therecognition of the electrical coupling of the external power outputinterface and the power supply interface, at least one of a first lightemitting device within the adhesive dispensing device and a second lightemitting device within the charger base is illuminated.

In yet another embodiment, a system including an adhesive dispensingdevice and a charger base is described. The adhesive dispensing deviceincludes a first light emitting device, a handle, a power source, apower supply interface, and a control circuit. The control circuit isconfigured to control the first light emitting device. The charger baseincludes a second light emitting device, an interface formed forreceiving the adhesive dispensing device, an external power outputinterface, and a power supply circuit. The interface formed forreceiving the adhesive dispensing device is configured to mate with thehandle. The power supply circuit is coupled to the external power outputinterface and is configured to electrically couple to the power supplyinterface of the adhesive dispensing device based on the adhesivedispensing device being received in the interface. The first lightemitting device is configured to illuminate in response to power beingprovided to the power supply interface from the power supply circuit.The second light emitting device is configured to illuminate in responseto power being provided from the power supply circuit to the externalpower output interface.

Other aspects of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent byconsideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glue gun and base according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the glue gun of FIG. 1, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of the glue gun of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical circuit of the gluegun of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical circuit of the baseof FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling theillumination of a light source on an adhesive dispenser, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling theillumination and color of illumination of a light source on an adhesivedispenser, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any aspects of the herein disclosed technology are explained indetail, it is to be understood that the described embodiments are notlimited in their application to the details of construction and thearrangement of components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the following drawings. The herein described embodimentsare capable of other configurations and of being practiced or of beingcarried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates an adhesive dispensing system 100 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The adhesive dispensing system 100includes an adhesive dispensing device 102 and a charger base 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates the adhesive dispensing device 102 including ahousing 104 having both a handle 106 and a barrel portion 108. Thehousing 104 has a first end 105 and a second end 107. The first end 105is opposite of the second end 107 along the same lateral axis as thebarrel portion 108. The barrel portion 108 is positioned generally atopthe handle 106. A dispensing tip 110 is provided at the first end 105 ofthe housing 104 for dispensing liquid adhesive from the adhesivedispensing device 102. At the second end 107 of the housing 104, anaperture 112 is provided for receiving an adhesive. In one example, theadhesive is a solid adhesive. However, in other examples, the adhesivemay be a liquid, such as a gel.

The housing 104 also includes a first light emitting device 114. In oneembodiment, the first light emitting device 114 is a light emittingdiode (LED). In some examples, the first light emitting device 114includes one LED element. However, in other examples, the first lightemitting device 114 may include multiple LED elements. For example, thefirst light emitting device 114 may include multiple LED elementsconfigured to emit light at different wavelengths (i.e. colors).

The adhesive dispensing device 102 also includes a trigger 116 that ismovably coupled to the handle 106. A power supply interface 118 isprovided at the bottom end of the handle 106. The power supply interface118 is configured to receive power from an external source, such as viathe charger base 120. In one example, the power supply interface 118 isconfigured to receive a direct-current (DC) voltage, which can be usedto supply power to one or more component of the adhesive dispensingdevice 102, as will be described below. However, in other embodiments,the power supply interface 118 is configured to receive an alternatingcurrent (AC) voltage.

FIG. 3 illustrates the charger base 120 including a base housing 122.The base housing 122 includes an interface 124, a drip shelf 126, aswitch 128, a second light emitting device 130, and an external poweroutput interface 132. The interface 124 is configured to receive andmate with the handle 106 of the adhesive dispensing device 102. Theinterface 124 allows the adhesive dispensing device 102 to be supportedin an upright position as shown in FIG. 1. The interface 124 mates withthe handle 106 of the adhesive dispensing device 102 to supply power tothe adhesive dispensing device 102 through the electrical coupling ofthe power supply interface 118 and the external power output interface132, as will be described below. In one embodiment, the interface 124may include one or more electrical contacts 136, which are configured tointerface with the power supply interface 118 of the adhesive dispensingdevice 102. The drip shelf 126 is provided at the forward end 123 of thebase housing 122 and is generally parallel to the dispensing tip 110.The drip shelf 126 provides a surface to collect adhesive that isexpelled from the dispensing tip 110 when the adhesive dispensing device102 is received by the interface 124.

FIG. 4 illustrates an electrical schematic of the adhesive dispensingdevice 102, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4 theadhesive dispensing device 102 includes a control system 400. Thecontrol system 400 includes an input 402, a controller 404, atemperature sensor 406, a heating element 408, the first light emittingdevice 114, an internal power source 412, a power supply module 414, apower supply interface 118, and an external power supply 416.

The controller 404 includes electrical and electronic components thatprovide power, operational control, and protection to the components andmodules within the control system 400 and/or the adhesive dispensingdevice 102. Specifically, the controller 404 may include, among otherthings, a processing unit (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller,electronic processor, electronic controller, or another suitableprogrammable device), a memory, sensors, input circuits, and outputcircuits. The controller 404 interfaces with the power supply module 414to receive data regarding the flow of power to the internal power source412. The controller 404 may receive an input via the input 402. In oneembodiment, the input 402 may be when the trigger 116 is actuated. Inanother embodiment, the input 402 may be when a power switch (not shown)is switched to an “on” position. When an input is received by thecontroller 404, the controller 404 controls the heating element 408 suchthat the heating element 408 generates heat. In some embodiments, thecontroller 404 may control how much power flows to the heating element408 to control the amount of heat generated by the heating device. Forexample, the controller 404 may control the amount of power provided tothe heating element 408 by controlling one or more power circuits, suchas power circuits utilizing solid state switching control (e.g. a MOSFETswitched power circuit). In other embodiments, other power circuits,such as relays, are used to control the flow of power to the heatingelement 408. or other power circuit devices.

The controller 404 is electrically coupled to the temperature sensor 406to receive temperature data associated with the heating element 408. Inone embodiment, the temperature sensor 406 provides an analog signal tothe controller 404 representing the temperature data. In otherembodiments, the temperature sensor 406 may provide one or more digitalsignals to the controller 404 to represent the temperature data. Thetemperature sensor 406 is configured to interface with the heatingelement 408 to determine a temperature of one or more portions of theheating element 408. In some embodiments, a temperature of the heatingelement is determined without the use of a temperature sensor. Forexample, the controller 404 may be configured to calculate a temperatureof the heating element 408 based on an amount of current provided to theheating element. The current provided to the heating element may be thecurrent output from the internal power source, which is communicated tothe controller 404, or another sensed current. In some examples, thecontroller 404 may sense a change in current though atemperature-dependent resistor, such as a Positive TemperatureCoefficient (“PTC”) thermistor (not shown), that corresponds to a changein temperature of the heating element 408. The above examples are forexemplary purposes only, and other configurations or components can beused to determine a temperature of the heating element without the useof a temperature sensor configured to provide temperature data to thecontroller 404.

In one embodiment, the heating element 408 is configured to, uponactivation by the controller 404, heat a solid adhesive to a temperaturethat converts it to a liquid adhesive, which may then be dispensedthrough the dispensing tip 110. Activation by the controller 404 occurswhen the controller 404 receives an input 402, such as an input from thetrigger 116. In one embodiment, the heating element 408 heats thedispensing tip 110, which may then heat the solid adhesive as it isforced into the dispensing tip 110 by actuation of the trigger 116.

As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply interface 118 is also electricallycoupled to an internal power source 412. The internal power source 412provides power to the adhesive dispensing device 102. In one embodiment,the internal power source 412 is a rechargeable battery, such as arechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery. However, in other embodimentsthe internal power source 412 may be other rechargeable battery types,such a lead-acid, Nickle-Cadmium, etc. In one embodiment, the internalpower source 412 may receive power via the power supply interface 118.The internal power source 412 receives power via the power supplyinterface 118 when the power supply interface 118 is electricallycoupled to the external power supply 416. The external power supply 416may be power that is received from the external power output interface132. Power from the external power output interface 132 received via thepower supply interface 118 may charge the internal power source 412. Theinternal power source 412 is coupled to the power supply module 414,which is in communication with the controller 404. The power supplymodule 414 communicates to the controller 404 that an electricalconnection with the charger base 120 has been established and that poweris flowing to the internal power source 412. The internal power source412 provides power to the controller 404. In other embodiments, theinternal power source 412 may provide power to the power supply module414, which may then provide power to one or more components of thecontrol system 400, such as the controller 404.

In one embodiment, the controller 404 is configured to control at leastthe first light emitting device 114 of the adhesive dispensing device102. The first light emitting device 114 of the adhesive dispensingdevice 102 and the second light emitting device 130 of the charger base120 may be configured to illuminate when the power supply interface 118is electrically coupled to an external power supply 416. In one example,the first light emitting device 114 of the adhesive dispensing device102 and the second light emitting device 130 of the charger base 120illuminate using the same color. However, in other examples, the firstlight emitting device 114 of the adhesive dispensing device 102 and thesecond light emitting device 130 of the charger base 120 illuminateusing different colors. Example colors may include red, blue, green,white, and the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates an electrical schematic of the charger base 120,according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, the charger base 120includes a control system 520. In one embodiment, the charger base 120includes an external power output interface 132, a base controller 524,one or more second light emitting device 130, a power supply circuit526, and an external input power interface 528.

The external input power interface 528 can be one of a battery, an ACpower source (e.g. utility power), a DC power source (e.g. a rectifiedAC signal), etc. Power is provided to the control system 520 via theexternal input power interface 528 and is regulated by the power supplycircuit 526. The power supply circuit 526 is coupled to the basecontroller 524 and the external power output interface 132. In oneembodiment, the base controller 524 is configured to control theillumination of the second light emitting device 130, as furtherdescribed below.

In one embodiment, the external power output interface 132 is configuredto interface with an external device, such as the adhesive dispensingdevice 102, described above. The external power output interface 132interfaces with the power supply interface 118 of the adhesivedispensing device 102 via an electrical connection. For example,electrical contacts 136 on the charger base 120 may interface with oneor more electrical contacts on the adhesive dispensing device 102. Theelectrical connection allows for power to flow from the charger base 120to the adhesive dispensing device 102. The electrical connection isrecognized by the power supply module 414. In some examples the powersupply module 414 may act as a sensor. The power supply module 414 maybe in communication with sensors that sense the electrical connection.The sensors may be a voltage sensor, a current sensor, etc. In oneembodiment, the power supply module 414 recognizes the flow of power tothe internal power source 412 and communicates to the controller 404that power is flowing.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a process 600 for controlling one ormore light emitting devices associated with an adhesive dispensingsystem, such as the adhesive dispensing system 100 described above. Atblock 602, the interface 124 on the charger base 120 receives the handle106 of the adhesive dispensing device 102. The power supply interface118 is brought into electrical contact with the external power outputinterface 132, via the electrical contacts 136 described above. At block604, the control system 400 of the adhesive dispensing device 102 andthe control system 520 of the charger base 120 recognize the electricalcoupling of the power supply interface 118 and the external power outputinterface 132. The controller 404 recognizes the electrical couplingthrough the power supply module 414, as described above. The basecontroller 524 recognizes the electrical coupling through the powersupply circuit 526 which communicates that electrical coupling hasoccurred to the base controller 524. At block 606, the control system400 determines that charge is flowing to the internal power source 412.The power supply module 414 communicates the determination of chargeflow to the controller 404. At block 608, the controller 404 and thebase controller 524 are configured to illuminate the first lightemitting device 114 and the second light emitting device 130,respectively, in response to determining that there is charge flowing tothe internal power source 412. In one embodiment, the controller 404communicates the determined power flow to the base controller 524. Forexample, controller 404 may communicate to the base controller 424 via awired connection, such as via electrical contacts 136. However, in someexamples, the communication between the controller 404 and the basecontroller 524 may be done via a wireless communication protocol, suchas Bluetooth, RF, Wi-Fi, etc.

In another embodiment, the base controller 524 may determine that chargeis flowing to the internal power source 412.

In yet another embodiment, the controller 404 and the base controller524 are configured to illuminate the first light emitting device 114 andthe second light emitting device 130, respectively, in response todetermining that there is charge flowing to the internal power source412 and in response to the base controller 524 determining that thepower supply circuit 526 is supplying power to the external power outputinterface 132.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process 700 for illuminating one ormore of the first light emitting device 114 and the second lightemitting device 130 based on a sensed temperature. At block 702, thecontroller 404 receives an input 402. In one embodiment, the input 402may be received when the trigger 116 is actuated. In another embodiment,the input 402 may be received when a power switch (not shown) isswitched to the “on” position. At block 704, the controller 404activates the heating element 408. When activated, the heating element408 emits heat to change the solid adhesive to liquid as the solidadhesive comes into proximity of the heating element 408. At block 706,the controller 404 determines a temperature of the heating element 408.In one embodiment, the controller 404 receives temperature data from thetemperature sensor 406 indicating the temperature of the heating element408. In some examples, the controller 404 is configured to calculate atemperature of the heating element 408 based on an amount of currentprovided to the heating element 404. The current provided to the heatingelement may be the current output from the internal power source, whichis communicated to the controller 404, or another sensed current. Insome examples, the controller 404 may sense a change in current though atemperature-dependent resistor, such as a PTC thermistor (not shown),that corresponds to a change in temperature of the heating element 408.

The controller 404 is configured to interpret the determined temperaturedata by comparing it to a first predetermined temperature value, asdescribed in block 708. In response to the temperature data being lessthan the first predetermined temperature value, then the processproceeds to block 710. In response to the temperature data being greaterthan the first predetermined temperature value, the process proceeds toblock 712. At block 710, in response to the controller 404 interpretingthe temperature data as being below the first predetermined temperaturevalue and the controller 404 communicating the determined temperature tothe base controller 524, the controller 404 and the base controller 524are configured to control at least one of the first light emittingdevice 114 and the second light emitting device 130 to produce lighthaving a first color. In one embodiment, the controller 404 maycommunicate to the base controller 424 via a wired connection, such asvia electrical contacts 136. However, in some examples, thecommunication between the controller 404 and the base controller 524 maybe done via a wireless communication protocol, such as Bluetooth, RF,Wi-Fi, etc. In one embodiment, the first color is blue. However, othercolors may be used for the first color, such as red, purple, green, etc.

If the process 700 does not proceed to block 710, then the process 700proceeds to block 712. At block 712, the controller 404 interprets thedetermined temperature data to see if the temperature is between thefirst predetermined temperature value and the second predeterminedtemperature value. If the temperature data meets the criteria of block712, then the process 700 proceeds to block 714. If the temperature datadoes not meet the criteria of block 712, then the process 700 proceedsto block 716. If the process 700 proceeds to block 714, at least one ofthe first light emitting device 114 and the second light emitting device130 illuminate to a second color. In one embodiment, the second color isyellow, indicating a temperature between the first predeterminedtemperature value and the second predetermined temperature value.

If the process 700 does not proceed to block 714, then the process 700proceeds to block 716. At block 716, the controller 404 interprets thedetermined temperature data to see that the received temperature data isgreater than the second predetermined temperature value. At block 718,in response to the controller 404 interpreting temperature data from thetemperature sensor 406 that is above the second predeterminedtemperature value, at least one of the first light emitting device 114and the second light emitting device 130 alternate between an ON stateand an OFF state (i.e. flashing). Alternating between an ON state and anOFF state may indicate an overheated state of the adhesive dispensingdevice 102. In one embodiment, the flashing illumination may be of thecolor white.

In one embodiment, the first temperature may be 120° Celsius. However,temperatures of more than 120° Celsius and less than 120° Celsius arealso contemplated. The second temperature may be 140° Celsius. However,temperatures of more than 140° Celsius and less than 140° Celsius arealso contemplated.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A system comprising: an adhesive dispensing device comprising: afirst light emitting device; a handle; a power source; and a powersupply interface; a charger base comprising: a second light emittingdevice; an interface formed for receiving the adhesive dispensingdevice, the interface configured to mate with the handle; an externalpower output interface configured to electrically couple to the powersupply interface of the adhesive dispensing device; a power supplycircuit coupled to the external power output interface, and configuredto provide power to the external power output interface; wherein thefirst light emitting device is configured to illuminate in response topower being provided to the power supply interface from the power supplycircuit; and wherein the second light emitting device is configured toilluminate in response to power being provided from the power supplycircuit to the external power output interface.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the adhesive dispensing device further comprises: a controlcircuit; and a temperature sensor that is communicatively coupled to thecontrol circuit.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the temperaturesensor is configured to detect a temperature of a heating element of theadhesive dispensing device and communicate the detected temperature tothe control circuit.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the controlcircuit is configured to control at least one of the first lightemitting devices and the second light emitting devices in response toreceiving temperature data from the temperature sensor.
 5. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the first light emitting device and the second lightemitting device are multi-colored light emitting devices.
 6. The systemof claim 5, wherein the first light emitting device outputs a firstcolor in response to a first detected temperature.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the first detected temperature is less than 120 degreesCelsius.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the first light emittingdevice outputs a second color indicating a second detected temperature.9. The system of claim 7, wherein the second detected temperature is inthe range of 120 degrees Celsius to 140 degrees Celsius.
 10. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first light emitting device and the second lightemitting device are LEDs.
 11. A method for controlling one or moreilluminate devices in an adhesive dispensing system, the methodcomprising: electrically coupling an adhesive dispending device and acharger base; determining a power flow between an external power outputinterface of the charger base and a power supply interface of theadhesive dispensing device; and in response to determining the powerflow between the external power output interface and the power supplyinterface, illuminating at least one of a first light emitting devicecoupled to the adhesive dispensing device and a second light emittingdevice coupled to the charger base.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe adhesive dispensing device includes a temperature sensor that iscoupled to a control circuit of the adhesive dispensing device, whereinthe temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of aheating element of the adhesive dispensing device.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising controlling, via the control circuit, anoutput of at least one of the first light emitting device and the secondlight emitting device in response to receiving temperature data from thetemperature sensor.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first lightemitting device and the second light emitting device are multi-coloredlight emitting devices.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprisingcontrolling, via the control circuit, one of the first light emittingdevice and the second light emitting device to output a first colorlight to indicate a first detected temperature.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the first temperature is less than 120 degrees Celsius. 17.The method of claim 14, further comprising controlling, via the controlcircuit, one of the first light emitting device and the second lightemitting device to output a second color light to indicate a seconddetected temperature.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the seconddetected temperature is in the range of 120 degrees Celsius to 140degrees Celsius.
 19. A system comprising: an adhesive dispensing devicecomprising: a first light emitting device; a handle; a power source; apower supply interface; and a control circuit configured to control thefirst light emitting device; a charger base comprising: a second lightemitting device; an interface formed for receiving the adhesivedispensing device, the interface configured to mate with the handle; anexternal power output interface; a power supply circuit coupled to theexternal power output interface, wherein the external power outputinterface is configured to electrically couple to the power supplyinterface of the adhesive dispensing device based on the adhesivedispensing device being received in the interface; wherein the firstlight emitting device is configured to illuminate in response to powerbeing provided to the power supply interface from the power supplycircuit; and wherein the second light emitting device is configured toilluminate in response to power being provided from the power supplycircuit to the external power output interface.
 20. The system of claim19, wherein the control circuit is configured to communicate a commandto the charger base to illuminate the second light emitting device inresponse to power being provided to the power supply.